We paid the penalty for mistakes - Coyle

Owen Coyle felt that individual errors and a poor refereeing decision cost Rovers a positive result at Ipswich Town.

Rovers' unbeaten start to the New Year came to an end at Portman Road, as goals from Tom Lawrence (2) and Christophe Berra inflicted a 3-2 defeat.

The visitors twice pegged the hosts back, as Hope Akpan levelled just before the break and won a second-half penalty, which Danny Graham duly dispatched, but Coyle was left to lament the failure to award Rovers a second spot-kick deep into added time when Josh Emmanuel clearly impeded Derrick Williams in the box.

"When you make the individual mistakes that we made today, then at the level we play at, there's every chance that you'll get punished for it," said the manager.

"We started the game well and probably had the best chance of the game when Sam Gallagher was through after great play from Liam Feeney and the keeper made a good save, but at 0-0 we looked comfortable and looked the better team.

"Then, a ball played into the box, which should be cleared, Ben (Marshall) has tried to pull it down and then the referee has given a free-kick. Whether it was a free-kick or not I'm not sure, but all you have to do is clear your lines. The free-kick has then gone under the wall and Jason (Steele) has got a hand to it, but not kept it out.

"We picked ourselves up again through good play from the wide area and Danny Graham has laid it back to Hope (Akpan), who produces a composed finish and at 1-1 we looked all set to go and achieve a positive result.

"We started the second half well, but then we made a terrible mistake. Jason has tried to throw for an early counter-attack, which has been given away and led to a corner. And from that, I don't know if Charlie Mulgew has been fouled or tripped, but the header has been flicked on and Charlie's man is standing at the back post unmarked because of the previous incident.

"So at 2-1 you're chasing the game and then the third goal, we've had good possession and then we've given it away, we've got it back, we've given it away again and the players were warned that Tom Lawrence has been in terrific form for Ipswich as of late and scored a wonder goal just a couple of weeks ago and got a double last week, and he's hit one from 40 yards that's probably a contender for goal of the season.

"The annoying thing for us was the build-up, because we had possession and the chance to keep the ball moving.

"At 3-1, we found ourselves with a mountain to climb, but we've shown that we have the courage and the spirit and everything that goes with that, and we picked ourselves up again and we got back in the game, with Danny (Graham) finishing the penalty.

"Then finally, we've got a stonewall penalty at the end when Derrick Williams knocks it by the lad and he's absolutely wiped him out and the referee's not given it. I saw it in real time and I've watched it back, and it's as glaring a penalty as you'll see.

"So although we've made terrible individual mistakes, which have led to them scoring their goals, we should still be leaving with something, because we certainly did enough to get that penalty late on, which might have led to a valuable point."